The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 3 | Page 5

has Power to take away all
his Fortune, and then I think it were not so good marrying him.
Cel. Not marrying him! Oh, canst thou think so poorly of me? Yes, I
would marry him, though our scanty Fortune Cou'd only purchase us A
lonely Cottage, in some silent Place, All cover'd o'er with Thatch,
Defended from the Outrages of Storms By leafless Trees, in Winter;
and from Heat, With Shades, which their kind Boughs wou'd bear anew;
Under whose Covert we'd feed our gentle Flock, That shou'd in
gratitude repay us Food, And mean and humble Clothing.
Nur. Very fine!
Cel. There we wou'd practise such degrees of Love, Such lasting,
innocent, unheard of Joys, As all the busy World should wonder at,
And, amidst all their Glories, find none such.
Nur. Good lack! how prettily Love teaches his Scholars to prattle.-- But
hear ye, fair Mrs. Celinda, you have forgot to what end and purpose
you came to Town; not to marry Mr. Bellmour, as I take it--but Sir
Timothy Tawdrey, that Spark of Men.
Cel. Oh, name him not--Let me not in one Moment Descend from
Heaven to Hell-- How came that wretched thing into thy Noddle?
Nur. Faith, Mistress, I took pity of thee, I saw you so elevated with
Thoughts of Mr. Bellmour, I found it necessary to take you down a
degree lower.
Cel. Why did not Heaven make all Men like lo Bellmour? So strangely
sweet and charming!

Nur. Marry come up, you speak well for your self; Oh intolerable
loving Creature! But here comes the utmost of your Wishes.
Cel. My Brother, and Bellmour! with strange Men!
Enter Friendlove, Bellmour, Sir Timothy, Sham, and Sharp.
Friend. Sister, I've brought you here a Lover, this is the worthy Person
you have heard of, Sir Timothy Tawdrey.
Sir Tim. Yes, faith, Madam, I am Sir Timothy Tawdrey, at your
Service--Pray are not you Mrs. Celinda Dresswell?
Cel. The same, but cannot return your Compliment.
Sir Tim. Oh Lord, oh Lord, not return a Compliment. Faith, Ned, thy
Sister's quite spoil'd, for want of Town-Education; 'tis pity, for she's
devilish pretty.
Friend. She's modest, Sir, before Company; therefore these Gentlemen
and I will withdraw into the next Room.
Cel. Inhuman Brother! Will you leave me alone with this Sot?
Friend. Yes, and if you would be rid of the trouble of him, be not coy,
nor witty; two things he hates.
Bel. 'Sdeath! Must she be blown upon by that Fool?
Friend. Patience, dear Frank, a little while.
[Exeunt Friend. Bell. Sham and Sharp.
[Sir Timothy walks about the Room, expecting when Celinda should
speak.
Cel. Oh, dear Nurse, what shall I do?
Nur. I that ever help you at a dead Lift, will not fail you now.

Sir Tim. What a Pox, not a Word?
Cel. Sure this Fellow believes I'll begin.
Sir Tim. Not yet--sure she has spoke her last--
Nur. The Gentleman's good-natur'd, and has took pity on you, and will
not trouble you, I think.
Sir Tim.--Hey day, here's Wooing indeed--Will she never begin, trow?
--This some would call an excellent Quality in her Sex--But a pox on't,
I do not like it--Well, I see I must break Silence at last--Madam--not
answer me--'shaw, this is mere ill breeding--by Fortune--it can be
nothing else--O' my Conscience, if I should kiss her, she would bid me
stand off--I'll try--
Nur. Hold, Sir, you mistake your Mark.
Sir Tim. So I should, if I were to look in thy mouldy Chaps, good
Matron--Can your Lady speak?
Nur. Try, Sir.
Sir Tim. Which way?
Nur. Why, speak to her first.
Sir Tim. I never knew a Woman want a Cue for that; but all that I Have
met with were still before-hand with me in tittle tattle.
Nur. Likely those you have met with may, but this is no such Creature,
Sir.
Sir Tim. I must confess, I am unus'd to this kind of Dialogue; and I am
an Ass, if I know what to say to such a Creature. --But come, will you
answer me to one Question?
Cel. If I can, Sir.

Sir Tim. But first I should ask you if you can speak? For that's a
Question too.
Cel. And if I cannot, how will you be answer'd?
Sir Tim. Faith, that's right; why, then you must do't by signs.
Cel. But grant I can speak, what is't you'll ask me?
Sir Tim. Can you love?
Cel. Oh, yes, Sir, many things; I love my Meat, I love abundance of
Adorers, I love choice of new Clothes, new Plays; and, like a right
Woman, I love to have my Will.
Sir Tim. Spoke like a well-bred Person, by Fortune: I see there's hopes
of thee, Celinda; thou wilt in time learn to make a